Design of a multimedia system for multispecialty medical conferences

In this paper we present the methods and results of a workflow study of a multi-specialty cardiology conference, preliminary design concepts for a digital cardiac conference room, and a component that is anticipated for a complete implementation. Workflow studies at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center were performed to understand its traditional catheterization conference work procedures and processes. These studies involved observing and interviewing people that prepare, present, and attend the conference. The workflow investigation gave insight into current drawbacks. Scenarios were then generated that described potential new designs of the cardiac catheterization conference.Knowledge gained from the workflow studies, and feedback from UCSF physicians whose reviewed the digital conference room scenarios led to the final system design. We have prototype one of the components of the design: a software tool for improved presentation of dynamic images. This tool has been implemented in Java and is therefore platform independent.